Thinking of taking a show to the ?
We spoke to several writer/performers from our development groups across the UK to get the low-down. First up, , writer and spoken word artist (and part of our Scottish Voices development group) who shares his experiences, good and bad, of taking shows to the Fringe, and his advice for anyone who is thinking of taking a show there.
Kevin P. Gilday
How many times have you taken part in the ? When were you first involved and why did you decide to do it?
This is my fourth time taking a show to the Edinburgh fringe. The first time was in 2014. I honestly didn't even think about it, it just seemed a natural progression. I had a one hour long show, why not take it to Edinburgh and see what the world made of it? (Not a lot, it turns out!).
What considerations do you have to make before taking it on?
There's a definite time commitment but also a financial one. Do you have the time to develop, write, rewrite, test, rewrite, rehearse, rewrite and preview a piece before you even get there? Because if you don't then it's not going to hit the ground running and you'll be giving yourself a significantly lower chance of breaking through.
What are the positives and negatives?
The positives are that you're putting yourself in the biggest shop window in the world in terms of the performing arts. You can be recognised to be the genius you are. The negatives are that there are another 4000 people who are thinking exactly the same thing and a massive infrastructure of competing interests waiting to swallow your money.
Would you recommend it to new writers and performers? Any advice for first-timers?
I think I would recommend it as long as they go in with their eyes open. It can be an incredible experience that really enriches you as an artist but it can also be a disaster - and you have very little control over it if it does. My advice to first timers would just be to lower your expectations. You're most likely not going to have a sell-out, award-winning show first time round. But you can certainly improve a lot as a writer and performer.
Do you make any money from it or is it more about profile?
I've never made money from it and I'm probably not going to again this year. It's mostly about the profile, yeah. I hate the term, but it is about building that 'brand' of who you are and what makes you unique.
What has your experience been like this year and how did you decide on this year’s show?
My experience has been much improved this year. I'm working with and part of their of shows in association with . This has added to my chances of getting those reviewers in and getting those much needed start ratings. My show 'Suffering from Scottishness' has been in development for a while now. From the start of the process I was aiming for a fringe run and thankfully my timeline was right and we had the show in a great place for the start of the festival.
Has your experience of the Fringe changed over time? Do you think the Fringe itself has evolved?
I've definitely relaxed and allowed myself to enjoy it more, to take the (perceived) failures less personally and to enjoy the victories a little more. If anything I think it gets more competitive every year. There seems to be an exponential growth (based on money) that just never stops.
What are your other top tips for getting your work out there and noticed?
I think a great PR person is the key. I've been very lucky this year to have a great team behind me. It just makes getting those interviews, previews and reviews that much easier. When those start coming, and of course when you have a great show, then you start to get a bit of momentum and the whole thing begins to feel a bit more doable.